Friday, February 19, 2016

New Poll Shows Majority Of Americans In Every State Supports The Equality Act

A new poll conducted by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute shows a majority of Americans - in every state - supports The Equality Act, which would ban anti-LGBT discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.

From the survey:

Support is higher in the Northeast (76%) and West (75%), and lower in the South (66%) and Midwest (71%). Residents of New England states such as Rhode Island (84%) and Massachusetts (83%) are the most supportive of these laws, while residents of Deep South states, such as Mississippi (54%), Alabama (57%), and Arkansas (57%), are the least supportive.

Currently, 33 states lack clear, fully inclusive LGBT non-discrimination protections, leaving people at risk for being fired, denied a job or apartment, or refused service because of who they are or whom they love.

In addition to showing strong, across the board support for a bill like the Equality Act, a majority in all 50 states support non-discrimination protections for LGBT people — 70 percent in Florida, 70 percent in Indiana, 70 percent in Pennsylvania and 69 percent in Ohio — all states that lack these protections.

Currently, 50 percent of LGBT Americans live in states where they risk being fired, denied housing or refused service because of who they are or whom they love.

The bipartisan Equality Act, establishes explicit, permanent protections against discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of employment, housing, access to public places, federal funding, credit, education and jury service. In addition, it would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in federal funding and access to public places.